Ep15: Charlotte Parsons, Modeling Healthy Conflict for Kids

Many years ago, I was chatting with a work colleague when she brought up that she and her husband were separating. The relationship had several challenges, but guess what was an ah-ha moment for her about the root of their problems? Neither of them knew how to argue. Growing up, they rarely, if ever, saw their parents in conflict, so they thought conflict was to be avoided at all costs. Unfortunately, the cost was their marriage. How can we learn to model healthy conflict for the benefit of our family relationships?

In this episode, we explore how adults can normalize conflict for one another and their kids. Even if you’re like me and don’t have children, what my guest shares is also applicable to the work place, since there are similar authority/subordinate hierarchies at play, just as there are in the home.

Charlotte Parsons is a mediator, parenting coordinator, parent educator, an empty-nest mom and wife of 29 years in Columbus, OH. Like many mediators, she comes from a variety of backgrounds with previous careers in journalism, healthcare and parent education, with degrees from The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.